SILLY SYMPHONIES U.S. Films from Felix the Cat to Homer Simpson

Room and time: Seminar Room (Attemsgasse 25, Top Floor), Wednesday, 15:15 p.m. - 16:45 p.m. First session: 13 March 2019 ˑ Course number: 512.325 Lecturer: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Stefan Brandt ˑ Office hours: Thursdays, 4-6 p.m. ˑ Email: [email protected] Office Hours: Thursday, 4:00-6:00 p.m. (Heinrichstr. 18, 1st floor) ˑ https://moodle.uni-graz.at/course/view.php?id=24980

Description: This is an introductory course on the history of the animation genre in the United States from the 1890s to the present day. The animation genre will be explored from a variety of angles: a.) chronologically, tracing the genre from its prehistory in and around 1900 and traditional films (1920s-80s) to contemporary works (since the 1990s); b.) formally, investigating method and medium (focusing on techniques of traditional animated cartoons and technologically more advanced aspects which emerged with computer-generated imagery (CGI); c.) culturally, focusing on the cultural dimensions of animation and especially its function in political propaganda; d.) in its subject matter, discussing both animated comedies as well as dramas and action films; e.) in its creator-driven nature, concentrating on key creators such as Walt Disney, Tex Avery, and Matt Groening who have shaped the art form as well as important figures from the animation genre (such as Mickey Mouse, Bugs Bunny, and Homer Simpson). An important reference work to this course is The World by Stephen Cavalier (University of California Press, 2011). Teaching and Learning Method: This is an interactive course. Participation in group discussions as well as contributions to the discussion forum on the Moodle course site will be part of the final grade. Each meeting will be held by ‘experts’ who organize the session by means of questions, games, illustrations, video clips, and group work. The most relevant facts will be conveyed in a short information block (or, alternatively, a fact file on a handout). Materials: All relevant texts will be made available in excerpts on Moodle. Be prepared to check out films at the American Film Media Archive (Heinrichstr. 18, 1st floor). Aims: The seminar sheds light on the historical background and cultural relevance of the animation genre. It is the goal of this course to understand the function and aesthetics of animated cartoons within the history of U.S. American cinema from its beginnings until today. Assessment: Regular attendance (no more than two absences!), active in-class participation; presentation as part of an expert session (plus 3-page handout and online questions); seven (!) entries in the discussion forum; 2-page research proposal, and final paper of ca. 10 pages. You need to receive at least a ‘D-‘ (‘4-‘) in all four sections in order to pass this class. Deadline for Final Papers (including declaration of honesty): Wednesday, July 10, 2019. You need to upload a digital version of your paper on Moodle and hand in a printed version. There is no (!) extension of this deadline. Please indicate on a post-it attached to the paper if you would like detailed feedback!

Syllabus

13 March Silly Symphonies – A Short History of Animated Films in the U.S. Basic texts: Ira Konigsberg, “Animation” (1997). [Moodle] Paul Wells, “The Language of Animation” (2012). [Moodle] 20 March Nasty Heroes – Felix the Cat and Mickey Mouse Main examples (viewing required): Felix the Cat in ‘Japanicky’ (1928). Mickey Mouse in ‘Steamboat Willie’ (1928). Companion films (optional): Gertie the Dinosaur (McCay, 1914); Alice comedies (Disney, 1923); Honeymoon Hotel (WB, 1934). Keywords: Anthropomorphism; Early Animation; Frame-by-Frame; Silent Film; Surrealism. 27 March The Birth of the Modern Fairytale – The First Feature-Length Animated Films Main example (viewing required): Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). Companion films (optional): Cinderella (Disney, 1950); Sleeping Beauty (Disney, 1959); Frozen (Disney, 2013). Keywords: Animated Feature; Color; Fairytale; Fantasy; ‘Disney Princess’. 3 April Caught in Action: Stop-Motion and Trick Technology Main example (viewing required): King Kong (dir. Merian C. Cooper, 1933) Companion film (optional): ParaNorman (, 2012). Keywords: Movie Icon; Mythology; ; Trick Technology. 10 April Political Disney – Donald Duck, the Choleric Knight Main examples (viewing required): (1943) and The Fuehrer’s Face (1943). Companion film (optional): Three Caballeros (Disney, 1944). Keywords: Donald Duck; (Anti-)Fascism; José Carioca; Latin America; Stereotyping; World War II. 8 May The Wild Years – Tex Avery, Modernism, and Anarchic Humor Main example (viewing required): Duck Amuck (Chuck Jones, 1953). Companion films (optional): High Diving Hare (Warner Brothers, 1948); Inside Out (-Disney, 2015). Keywords: Anti-Hero; Avant-Garde Film; Bugs Bunny, Duffy Duck, Warner Brothers. 15 May Live-Action Animation and the Mingling of Genres Main example (viewing required): ? (dir. Robert Zemeckis, 1988) Companion film (optional): Looney Tunes: Back in Action (dir. Joe Dante, 2003). Keywords: Animated Comedy; Blockbuster; Live-Action. 22 May Computer-Generated Imagery – The Birth of Pixar and DreamWorks Main example (viewing required): (Pixar, 2003). Companion films (optional): (Pixar, 1995); (DreamWorks, 2001); Ratatouille (Pixar-Disney, 2007). Keywords: Adventure; CGI; DreamWorks; Pixar; Quest. 29 May Independent Study Unit Stay at home and fill out 2-page research proposal (to be handed in on the 5th of June). 5 June Postmodernism and Intertextuality – The Simpsons and Hyperconscious Television Main example (viewing required): DUE DATE The Simpsons (Fox, 1989 – today). RESEARCH PROPOSAL Additional example (optional): American Dad (Fox, 2005–2014; TBS, 2014 – today) Keywords: ‘Hyperconscious Television’; Intertextuality; Postmodernism. 12 June Virtual Dreamscapes – The Digital Revolution and the Action Genre Main example (viewing required): Sin City (dir. Robert Rodriguez & Frank Miller, 2005). Companion films (optional): The Matrix (dir. Wachowski Brothers, 1999), Inception (dir. Christopher Nolan, 2010). Keywords: Anime; Deep Fake; Digitality; Performance Capture Reality; Special Effects; Virtual Reality. 19 June Outcasts, Alternative Families, and the American Dream Main example (viewing required): (Disney, 2016). Companion films (optional): (Disney, 1940); (Disney, 1941); The King (Disney, 1994); Up (Pixar, 2009). Keywords: Alternative Families; Bullying; Modernity; Outsiders. 26 June Parody and Pastiche – South Park, Absurd Humor and Political (In)Correctness Main example (viewing required): South Park (Comedy Central, 1997 - today) Additional examples (optional): FINAL PAPER BoJack Horseman (, 2014 – today); Family Guy (Fox, 1999-2003, 2005 – today). DUE DATE: July 10, 2019 Keywords: Parody; Pastiche; ‘Politically incorrect’; Profanity.